The Film Daily (1947)

Thursday, July 17, 1947 ^ife Curdts Names Majors Sn S. (. Tnst Suit (Continued from Page 1) ants are Fred S. Curdts, Edward C. Q==^±s and James W. Curdts, tradi-.t'rA's Trio Amusement. yomplaint lists four counts, the first alleging all the violations of law that were found by the Statutory Court in New York, and also claims a conspiracy of distributors based on decisions of the District Court in New York and the U. S. Supreme Court in regard to the old Standard Exhibition Contract and the Credit Committee. Asking damages of $2,000,000, the count holds that, prior to July 20, 1932, the defendants, except Republic, and the producing and distributing companies affiliated with them, entered into unlawful combination and conspiracy to restrain and monopolize interstate trade and commerce in films. It alleges that at a later date Republic joined the conspiracy. Second count, for which Trio seeks $1,500,000 damages, alleges discriminations against the plaintiffs as a result of conspiracy which resulted in Trio's not being able to secure suitable films with which to operate Another $1,500,000 is sought in the third count which alleges that since prior to July 20, 1932, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Film Distributing and the defendant exhibitors operating theaters in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, have monopolized and combined and conspired to monopolize the right to contract for licenses to exhibit films, and claims damage to Trio as a result of such combination and conspiracy. Damages of $500,000 are asked in the fourth count, based upon block booking and blind buying which, it is claimed, forced the plaintiffs to contract for pictures which they did not want to exhibit and compelled them to pay for pictures which they never played. « REVJEUJS "Black Narcissus" » Conn. Names Fishman Charlotte, N. C. — No comment was available in Charlotte yesterday on the Curdts suit. The suit alleges violation of Sherman-Clayton Act. The plaintiffs, operating a moving picture house in Greenville, S. C, allege discrimination against them in the release and booking of films. "That Hamilton Woman's' $4,000 Swells Cancer Fund Entire take of about $4,000 will be turned over to the Damon Runyon Cancer Memorial Fund, grossed at last night's I'etum preeming of "That Hamilton Woman," at Leon Siritzky's Ambassador Theater. Siritzky contributed his house and staff; Film Classics Prexy Joseph Bernhard contributed the film and advertising, with the result that no money was deducted from the receipts, and all the funds going to the DRCMF. with Deborah Kerr, Flora Robson, Sabu Univ.-lnt'l 99 Mins. STARK DEPARTURE FROM ROUTINE DRAMA; HIGHLY INTERESTING STORY; GOOD ART BET. Retaining dignity regardless of its pointed insight into fundamental human motives, the dramatic entertainment offered herein by the J. Arthur Rank unit known as The Archers is a mature departure from the routine, a brave step forward in treatment. At the same time it pulls no punches, analyzes a problem, yet finally arrives at no solution except that there is such a thing as sexual motivation in human events. It is strictly ADULT. It is quite likely one audience element, however, will find the film objectionable. The American edition will have an explanatory foreword which will attempt to identify and separate. As an example of film-making the picture stands with other offerings from the Emeric Pressburger-Michael Powell team of writing, producing and direction. On basis of past performances the combination has written interesting box office records. As a possibility for the art house with an understanding audience "Black Narcissus" can be a good bet for a long, lengthy booking. Primarily the story revolves around the attempt by an order of nuns to establish 3 school and hospital in the remote Himalayas. A still more prime note is the interest certain nuns, including the one in charge, Deborah Kerr, show in David Farrar, British territorial agent. He lives a semipagan existence as civil servant, adviser to the local potentate and general friend to the natives. Also, he is fully aware of the natives shortcomings. The nuns arrive and take up lodgings in a section of an abandoned palace that at one time was given over to the ruler's light o' loves. Decoratively, it is THAT sort of a place. The altitude plays havoc with the nuns' work. At lengths they enlist Farrar's aid. Then comes Sabu and immediately a sexy native wench on the premises sets her cap for him. A little later they run off. Meanwhile there is pointed up indication the nuns are faltering in their obligations. The vows are renewable on a yearly basis. Miss Kerr too, is affected. One of the nuns renounces her garb, dresses as a woman and visits Farrar in the middle of the Tibetan night. He, however, manages to hold her off. She returns to the mission quite deranged and attempts to shove Miss Kerr off a rliff. Instead she falls to her death. Just before the rains come the project is abandoned and the nuns return to their headquarters. The telling is handled with realism and many symbolic touches intrude themselves via shrewd manipulation of sets, players, oroDS and craftsmanlike editing. In splendid Technicolor, here is another demonstration of skillful handling of that process. CAST: D=boroh Kerr, Flora Robson, Jennv I G'rH J'lfiith Fursp, Kathle=n Bvron, Esmond ■'ninht, "!nbii, Dnvid Farrar, Jean Simmons. May Hallat, EHdie Whaley, Jr., Shaun Noble, Nancy Roberts, Ley On. CRFDITS: A Produrtion of the Archers Writfon, Produced and Directed by Michael Powo||, Emeric Pressburaer: Adapted from the nnvpl hv Rum°r Godden; Produ'-tion Desian. Alfred Junqe; Photoaraphy. Jack Cardiff: Music cz-ore '■omoosed. and conducted by Brian Fas'<ale: London Symphony Orchest'o; F(lm Editor, Reginald Mills; Sound, Stanley Lombourne; VAs (Continued from Page 1) tary of the MPTO of Connecticut, was appointed secretary and Lou Brown of Loew's, was named publicity chairman. General committee elected is headed by Carl Goe, Warner branch manager here, and comprises Harry F. Shaw, Daniel Pouzzner, Morris Jacobson, Russell Barrett, James Darby, Dr. Fishman, Henry Needles, Peter Perakos, Walter Murphy, James Bracken, John Scanlon, Lavietes, B. E. Hoffman, Maurice Bailey, Ben Simon, Henry Germaine, Max Salzburg, Barney Pitkin, Arthur Greenfield and Harry Rosenblatt. Exchange employees are represented by Samuel Zipkin and Leon Jakubson, while lATSE is represented by Matthew Kennedy, and the Musicians by Freda Swirsky. CEA Alerts Officers for Dalton Heavy Duty Move (Continued from Page 1) by day action, with the CEA Executive Committee prepared to meet if a crisis arises. CEA toppers will meet with Eric A. Johnston, MPAA president, due to arrive here next week, and are ready to confer with other sections of the industry on the situation. The General Council authorized its secretary to call on members to supply figures to'^e used in a petition to the Treas-ary for the reduction of the entertainments tax. The CEA asserts that the overall drop in receipts during May was 20 per cent, and that this drop was still greater in June. Agree on Printing of Testimony for Appeals (Continued from Page 1) are lined up for action by the high court. Government and defendants in the eauity case agreed that all testimony will be printed. Stipulations in the Griffith case provide that about 3,800 pages of testimony will be printed, as well as more than 100 exhibits. The Schine records include 4,800 pages of testimony and about 100 exhibits. Copies will be printed for each of the Supreme Court justices. "Red Stallion" Bows in Texas Eagle-Lion "Red Stallion," which will have its world nremiere on Aug. 13 at Interstate's Majestic, Houston, will open the following day at the Majestic, San Antonio, with the Majestic. Dallas, on the 15th and the Worth, Fort Worth, on the 16th also set. tistont Art Director, Arthur Lawson; Assistant Producer, George R. Busby; Process shots, W. Percy Day. DIRECTION, First Rate. PHOTOGRAPHY, Superb, e MARY plays ''FRITZIE" ruling as boldly as any man . . . loving as blindly as any woman. Count 5/ 5 stars in ^, HAL WALLIS' Piinf IN TECHNICOLOR! From Paramount f#